God,

Spring was supposed to feel hopeful, and full of light. It was meant to inspire growth, and the gentlest kind of renewal, but instead, it was heavy. It felt more like loss than life. It felt more anchored in my past than it did in new beginnings. I’m still feeling the ache of everything that didn’t happen. I’m still recovering from the sting of everything I had to let go of, of everything I wanted to hold close to my heart but couldn’t. 

Summer is about to begin, God, and it feels like I’m standing at the edge of something new. I should be relieved that another season and chapter of my life is coming to a close, I should feel hopeful that things will get better. But I feel a little hesitant, God. I feel a little nervous. I want so badly to believe in second chances, in seasons that heal instead of hurt — but sometimes hope feels like a risk.

Yet, even within all of that — there’s a part of me, a quiet, rooted voice within, that gently reminds me that it’s okay to try again. That it’s okay to let go of the season that broke my heart. That it’s okay to lean into something unknown, something tender, something that has the potential to restore the parts of me I thought would never mend, would never soften. 

So here I am, God, stepping slowly into this new beginning. Walk with me as I do. Give me courage to trust again. Give me courage to hope again. Give me courage to let go of what didn’t work, and to believe that something beautiful is still ahead of me. 

Teach me to move forward without carrying resentment or fear within myself. Gently remind me that every season has purpose — even the ones that hurt. Help me to see that the hardness of spring taught me resilience, taught me patience, and showed me how to surrender. Now, I need you to help me carry those lessons into this next season, God. I need you to show me the peace that is waiting for me on the other side of this trust, this belief.

God, please just keep my heart soft enough to embrace what you have for me next. Help me to remember that you write beautiful stories from the messiest of beginnings. That you create new hope from old hurt. That endings are never the whole story — they are simply chapters in the book of my life, invitations towards something deeper, something kinder, and something that reflects your love in a brighter way. 

Be near me, God. Calm my uncertainty. Ease my doubts. Steady my beating heart. Show me again and again that new beginnings aren’t just possible, but rather, a rooted part of your plan, a certain and promised part of the life you have written for me. 

Thank you for walking me out of the hard spring, and gently into whatever’s next, God. Thank you for leading me back to your light.

Amen.